Court sets Red Mill Pond level without objection

Tuesday

Jan 29, 2013 at 5:00 PM

By Dennis PelhamDaily Telegram Staff Writer

ADRIAN — Several Red Mill Pond residents said they are disappointed the city of Tecumseh has not contributed more. But no one objected at a court hearing Monday to a lake level being established as a step toward preserving the small lake on the north side of Tecumseh.

The next step in a process leading to repair of the pond’s 105-year old dam is a March 18 hearing on a special assessment district to pay for it. Dam repairs are estimated to cost $315,000.

The city and Tecumseh Township could both be included in the tax district, said Lenawee County Drain Commissioner Stephen May.

“We haven’t made that determination, but that is a possibility,” May said.

Several of the dozen Red Mill Pond residents who appeared at Monday’s hearing in Lenawee County Circuit Court put their feelings about the city’s participation on record.

Robert Stross said he is disappointed in the city government’s handling of the dam problem since the state warned in 2011 it would drain the pond if an operator was not hired. A developer that owned the dam had gone bust.

“It’s unlikely we would have a pond today if it hadn’t been for the efforts of a few private citizens,” Stross said. The city enjoys the benefits of the pond, he said, including additional taxes on waterfront property he estimated at $200,000 a year.

“When it was time for a little maintenance, they cut and run,” Stross said.

Resident Robert Ondrovick stated he believes the city is taking advantage of waterfront property owners.

There were no objections to a Lenawee County Drain Commission-led project to repair and maintain the dam.

“I have been very satisfied, looking at it from an engineering and hydrological standpoint,” said resident Frank Quinn, a registered engineer and hydrologist. He is also head of Friends of Red Mill Pond, a private group that hired a dam operator and circulated a petition for a lake level.

Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch attended the hearing but made no comment.

Judge Margaret M.S. Noe approved the proposed lake level, contingent on state permits being obtained for the project. The order includes lowering the water level one foot each November and refilling the pond in the first half of April, as recommended by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Noe scheduled a hearing for 10:30 a.m. on March 18 on a proposed special assessment district.

May said his office will submit a list of properties to be in the district before that hearing, as well as recommend whether to include the city and township. Decisions will be made later on what percentage of the project’s cost to assess each member of the district. The apportionment of costs should be available by June or July, he said.

If no obstacles arise, May said, he expects dam repairs to be completed this fall. The pond will first be drawn down, starting in late July or August, so repairs can be made to the concrete structure.

A fish ladder may be added to the project if a grant is obtained to pay for it, May said during the hearing.

He said the feature allowing fish to migrate upstream is estimated to cost $50,000 to $75,000. An initial grant application has been submitted and a response is expected this spring. The dam now cuts off migration of fish upstream in the River Raisin, he said. A fish ladder will be added to the project, May said, only if grants cover all the design and construction costs.